What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using
©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

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14 October 2013  

13 May 2013
I am not certain whether this is Catalpa bignonioides or Paulownia tomentos.  To be somewhat positive I will have to get a twig and examine the pith, which I plan on doing later.  If I had taken the photos a few weeks sooner I could have checked the blossoms.  And if I wait a few week longer the growing fruit pods will help make the identification more precise. 

This old tree has about a 3 1/2 to 4 foot diameter and is about maxed out in height - I/m guessing about 50 feet or so.  Long ago when U.S.40 was a quiet war time route  and Mechanics Valley road was gravel this was the old Rhudy farm with this tree shading the house in summer.  In the top photo the lower limb extending to the left still has the swing hangers showing at the bottom.  Now it still survives thanks to some businessman deciding not to clear it for a larger parking lot.

Well today - 14 October 2013 - I stopped by the above tree and spotted one long slender seed-pod still attached which confirms the identification as Catalpa bignonioides

Marshy Retreat

16 April 2013